I highly doubt FDs are ever going to "skyrocket" in value, simply because of their reliability record. Its a relatively rare, unique, and badass sports car and there are fewer and fewer good examples left every day, but the horror stories will keep em from ever appreciating a great amount, besides small jumps in price and demand due to the whole "import" trend and Fast and the Furious. Does anyone who knows Porsches ever notice that the '74-'77 911s are worth WAAAY less than any other period of 911s? Well, it was partially due to the horribly restrictive emissions equipment, but it was mainly cuz the '74-77s were the most unreliable POS 911s ever, the new 2.7 engines were underdeveloped would barely last 50k due to inadquate cooling (hmmm, sounds like another car i know . . .) Most of the other 911s are worth significantly more today, because they're way more reliable and have better performance. Anyway the point is, how well a car holds up is a huge factor in determining the future value of a car. That's why most of the little '60s-'70s British roadsters left today are dirt cheap. Most "true" car enthusiasts (by that I mean pro racers, automotive journalists, etc) would consider the FD a more memorable car than the MKIV Supra due to its *****-out, minimalist nature, arguably better styling and incredible handling, yet the Supra is currently worth more in the used market, mostly because of the Supra's bulletproof reliability, even when heavily modded (although I do feel Supras are overpriced on the used market). If the RX7 were more durable, it would be worth the same or more than the Supra. But, I hope that someone on this board who has a super low mileage FD plans on saving it and keeping it mostly stock, so that future generations can appreciate it.

Peace

 

JimLab,

First off, there is no questioning your rotary knowledge and mechanical skills.

That being said... Im still perplexed by Anti-Mazda/Wankel/FD aura...

Why is it everytime there is an argument or discussion you always turn your back on the Rex.

I might be me , but it seems like every opportunity you have to bash Mazda and or the FD, you take it happily. Why?

You've dedicated years and countless dollars to a significant project that you apparently despise.

Is this just a "step daughter that you secretly hate scenario?"

You're building one magnificent car, but its got a heart of stone.....what a cold lonely garage that must be....


Please prove me wrong, and tell me that you love Mazda for giving us all such a gem

 

If you want to jump up and down and get all excited over the possibility of the 3rd gen. RX-7 eventually becoming a collector car, don't let me stop you.

And Mazda can kiss my ***...

 

Fully restored e types that sold for less than $7000 new are trading for $70,000-100,000 now (a ten fold increase from new) by any measure an E-type is not any more reliable than an FD - (I know I have owned BOTH) by that measure when the FD is 30 years old it to is likley to trade at 10x Over List ie $300,009+ when My E-ype was 8 years old (a 66 in 74) I bought and sold it for less than $2000, 15 years later I was in the market again and could not find a compareable on for less than $30k - I look at FDs now as being at or near the bottom of their price cycle - when a car is less than 20 years old things like reliability and user freindlyness are much greater factors in a cars worth than Uniqueness and classic looks. The other old 60-70s Britsh roadsters (TR's, MGBs, Midgets & Spitfires) are still trading in the sub $30K range (fully restored) simply b/k the were sub $3k cars when new. But then again TR-3s have broken the $40k barrier

 

Wow..jim, you've really got a beef with Mazda, huh?

I can understand, when you look at the facts...shitty design(engine components), no support from the dealers, over-priced components.

There's alotta good reasons...but alotta cars are like that.

 

Well, if they'd built the car correctly in the first place, I wouldn't have had to totally re-engineer it.

 

maxpesce, thats badass that you owned an E-type, thats one of my favorite classic cars, and hopefully I'll get one someday . . . but I think you forgot to factor in inflation. Yes, the E-type was $7k when new, but that was probably the equivalent of $70k in today's money back in the early '60s! I guess i was just using the old British roadsters as an example, and I was mainly referring to MGBs, Spitfires, and the like which are considered classics and have a hardcore following, but you can get them for dirt cheap today, unless its a concours example or something. The E type is in a class of its own and of course its a collector's item. The thing is, everyone expects old British roadsters to have lots of problems; hell, that's part of their charm. But the 3rd gen RX7 is a '90s Japanese car, and people expect Japanese cars to be reliable. My point is, the 3rd gen RX7 sold for about $35-42k when new, and there hasn't been THAT much inflation since the early '90s. Yet you can find many 3rd gens for $12-15k now, even less if it has major problems. That's a lot of depreciation. The only reason they aren't all UNDER $10k today is they are badass, unique sports cars and have a core enthusiast group which holds them in high esteem, plus the increased demand of the last few years from the "import" craze and The Fast and the Furious. If the FD were bulletproof from the factory like the MKIV Supra is, you'd have trouble finding one under $20k today. But, with more and more being wrecked, raced, and modded beyond recognition, a low mileage all-original example should appreciate in years to come, but not at the level of the E-type.

 

There are only a handful of these cars left that remain in near new condition. It's rare to find one stock which has not been destroyed by either neglect or just plain having the **** beat out of it. Then throw into that finding one that has never had body damage. Most of these cars now are full of body bends from closing the door wrong or the mechanic leaning all over the fenders.

For the few near new condition, stock, cars that still exist I see no reason why they aren't worth 40,000 dollars.

Personally I'd like to have one in the garage in perfect condition and a second in less than pristine condition to modify and race, but to pick which one would be enjoyed more is the question.

 

The FD will be a classic because it has a "coolness factor" to it. Motorheads were tweaking GTO's, Camaros/Firebirds, even Impala's, etc....and some were fast then and are still fast, some were fast then, but slow by today's standards...but all of them that got the badge of being "cool" got that way because of how they made most people feel when they saw them rumble down the road. A Supra gets looks because it is different and you don't see a lot of them......and lots of guys think they are great. But how many of you have received comments from young and old, male and female about your FD? I have. This car will be a classic to the masses because it strikes such an incredible pose and it has some mystery because of the rotary. The people who will want to pay top dollar for this car in 30 years are the kids who are in high school right now and remembered "The Fast and the Furious." Vin Deisel the James Dean of our day?.......who knows.....but that FD was Badass and the car will be remembered.

BTW.....another classic is the 240Z.....just an opinion.

 

Jim, uh you didn't have to re-do (different than re-engineer) the car, you just wanted to. Your first engine failure was your fault, not Mazdas. The car has never had a chance after that.

Your obsessive complusive, admit. Let's do it together.

"My name is Jim Labreck, I'm obsessive complusive."

There, doesn't that feel better?

The FD won't ever be extremely valueable, but enthusiats (sp?) will always like them. 240Zs are the same way. You can pick up a low mileage original 240Z for way less than $10K. People like modding them and the aftermarket still produces parts for them.

Some nuts even put V8s in them, and they are badass cars.

Jeff
Auto-xs against a 400ci SBC powered 240Z, and loses

 

IMHO, don't expect any skyrocketing prices for on FDs for at least another 10 years. A car usually needs to be 20-25 years old to be collectable.

That said, I think there is a good chance that people who wanted an FD in their youth will be willing to pay top dollar when they are older (House is paid for, kids have gone to college, etc.etc.) Just like today's collector market, They'll want extra-clean, low miles, preferably stock, but accept mods that are period and not too extreme.

I can see it now, shops specializing in RX-7 restoration. Reproduction parts. Counterfiet tissue.

And of course, when you start talking about big dollars, communities like this will dissolve.

 

True, but among the enthusiast, I believe the FD will live on as a legend.

 

I don't personally care if the car becomes a collectible and worth hundreds of thousands, I'm moding/building it the way I want it custom to my wants and my ability to do so...I don't plan to sell it, I've wanted it since '96 when I bought my '91 and in '02 when I bought it knowing all the bad stuff, I just love it more (shaking head "no" towards the rats nest). I love the fact that people on the street don’t know what it is, but they’re not afraid to say they like and it’s a nice car, old people, young people, kids, women, smurfs, and donkeys people love it. I can count the number of rides I’ve given upon request, aunts/uncles, girlfriend’s dad, landlord’s son, the ricer at PEP Boys, and the girl next door, THEY ALL LOVE IT!!!

What a car...can I get a "Hell Yeah!"

 

Oh and I love all the people on the forum, without you none of this is possible. It's like friends I don't know...

 

"Hell Yeah"

 

It's a classic car.................to ME.
It's one of the cars I have always wanted to have. A collector's car, IMHO, is a car that is never used, never ridden, and lives in a plastic bubble. I would be TERIBLE at owning classics because I would ACTUALLY use them. Use a car? Wow...what a concept

The FD makes you feel what every classic should make you feel. It's breathtaking, listening to music with the sunroof opened or windows opened or both, enjoying the interior which wraps itself around you like a glove, it's fst from the factory, and only needs minor mods to "Keep up with the times", and it looks beautiful. A classic to me is a car you enjoy at the track or just cruising down the hwy with the added luxury of an occasional "Wooow. Did you see that?"

I never expected to make money off a Mazda, but few (almost non) cars bought for this price will make me FEEL how the FD has made me feel. Nuff said

 

I think that the RX7's future desirability and value will be tightly linked to Mazda's future success as an auto manufacturer. If Mazda continues to produce popular sports cars like the RX7 and the wildly successful Miata then the collectability of the 3rd gen is strengthened. If Mazda couples 'excitement with an image of quality then I think RX7 collectability is without question. If on the other hand if the RX8 and other key product lines bomb, or Ford decides to tighten Mazda's leash then the RX7 could become a unique and interesting footnote.

 

Ever run in to those old guys that think 32 Fords, and obscure rare old *** cars are just the greatest thing EVER!!!! That will be me when I'm 65,...except it will be all about the Rotary and it's delivered legacy through the RX7!!!!

oh ya

HHHHEEEELLLLLLL YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

 

Just think of us poor saps that don't even own one yet
For many 18 year old males, a kind of car like this is a DREAM! And one im hellbent on making come true. Like dublup's giving rides to everyone and having the car blow them away. I want to do that. And in the future, the kids my age that never got to do that but love this car will pay top dollar for one. So. Don't be too suprised if the car passes it's original worth

 

hmmmm, still thinking about this one. But Flybye put my thoughts into words real well.
I could see one of those auto TV shows doing one of there 10 min segments on the FD in 15 years or so, And most people would probably still be saying "what kind of car is that" or " How did I miss that car, I don't remember it"
Probably won't be asking if its new anymore though.
Eric

 

I think it'll live on like the REPU and live in the shadows of obscure car history. So will the 3000GT. The 300Z will be most likely to be mentioned only because it has a much longer and better known history than the Supra or RX7.
Supras are much more expensive and everybody and their grandma wants one. I saw a showroom Supra that was a bone stock 6spdTT that had been sitting in a dealership since '93 on Ebay. It was priced around the same you'd pay for Saad Saad's 1000HP dyno king, or a Porsche 996 C2. Maybe even an M3.

Don't expect an RX7 to be like an origional 440 Hemi and be worth as much as a new BMW. Expect something more like what has happened with the Hachiroku. They can go for nearly $7000. Very good for a 16 year old car.

 

I think the FD in 30 years will become the kind of collectable car old Alfa Romeros and Lotuses are. That is, they will have a cult following, but will never have the icon status of, say, the Corvette (yes it pains us all to hear that but its true), or the E-type for that matter. This FD today parallels Lotus (all Lotuses) in many ways. Both are pretty obscure, both are built with similar principles, both break down all the time, and both are only owned by people who really love them. That last point is one thing I love about my FD, that is, everyone else I see that has one either loves theirs or is in the process of selling it .

 

You're wrong.....

HEEEEELLLLLLLL YYYYYEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

 

I think the FD got popular because of 'Fast and the Furious'. Before that it seems to be an enthusiast's car. once the F and F hype is gone the FD will return to being an enthusiast's car along the lines of alfas (like others have mentioned). At this time whatever cars are left will become valuable to the circle of people who understand them.
I do love the car, but I do not think the FD is in any way the car of the century, nor the import (japanese) car of the century. I personaly think the Z has title nailed for the imports. As far as exotic or general car of the century, there are many more that I could not possibly afford that would fill that title.